Electronic eyeglasses

ABSTRACT

Provided are electronic eyeglasses including a power supply unit that is less likely to be unfastened and is easily attachable and detachable. A power supply unit is detachably attached to an accommodating chamber in a distal end portion of a temple. The power supply unit includes, from a front end toward a rear end, an electrical connection terminal; a first housing unit that holds a first battery, and that has a side surface having an arc shape in a plan view; a narrow portion that is connected to the arc-shaped side surface, and that has a side surface narrower than the side surface; and a second housing unit that has a side surface connected to the narrow side surface, and that hold a second battery. The accommodating chamber has a protruding portion that is elastically deformed so as to be fitted to the narrow portion of the power supply unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The present invention relates to electronic eyeglasses.

Background Art

Electronic eyeglasses are usually powered by a small battery. Thebattery has a limited operation time. Accordingly, a user of theelectronic eyeglasses needs to periodically replace or charge thebattery. For example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, it has been proposedto dispose a secondary battery for charging in a distal end of a templeof the electronic eyeglasses.

CITATION LIST

Patent Document 1: Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. 2004-245900

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-52116

SUMMARY Technical Problem

However, in the electronic eyeglasses in the related art disclosed inPatent Documents 1 and 2, both batteries are incorporated into a templeof the eyeglasses. Thus, when the battery is charged, the eyeglasseswith the battery need to be connected to a power supply terminaldisposed in an eyeglasses holder (Patent Document 1: FIG. 7) or a cradle(Patent Document 2: FIG. 7). Therefore, the battery cannot be charged ina state where a user wears the eyeglasses. On the other hand, if arechargeable battery is disposed in a power supply unit detachable froma main body of the eyeglasses, there is a possibility that the powersupply unit may be inadvertently unfastened when the user wears theeyeglasses. However, if the power supply unit is fixed to the main bodyof the eyeglasses, for example, by using a screw, the power supply unithas to be inconveniently attached to or detached from the main body.

The present invention is made in view of the above-described background,and an object thereof is to provide electronic eyeglasses including apower supply unit which is less likely to be unfastened when in use, andwhich is easily attachable to and detachable from the electroniceyeglasses.

Means for Solving Problem

According to the present invention, in order to achieve theabove-described object, there are provided electronic eyeglasses inwhich a power supply unit is detachably attached to an accommodatingchamber of a distal end portion of a temple. The power supply unitincludes, from a front end toward a rear end, an electrical connectionterminal; a first housing unit that holds a first battery, and that hasa side surface having an arc shape in a plan view; a narrow portion thatis connected to the arc-shaped side surface, and that has a side surfacenarrower than the arc-shaped side surface; and a second housing unitthat has a side surface connected to the narrow side surface, and thathold a second battery. The accommodating chamber has a protrudingportion that is elastically deformed so as to be fitted to the narrowportion of the power supply unit.

The power supply unit holds total two batteries in the first housingunit and the second housing unit. In a state where batteries are held,the power supply unit is inserted into the accommodating chamber of thetemple so that the electrical connection terminal is located forward inan insertion direction. That is, the first housing unit is inserted intothe accommodating chamber of the temple so that the first housing unitis located forward in the insertion direction and the second housingunit is located rearward in the insertion direction.

The arc-shaped side surface of the first housing unit is wider than thenarrow portion. Accordingly, along with the insertion of the powersupply unit, the protruding portion disposed in the accommodatingchamber of the temple is spread out and elastically deformed along theside surface of the first housing unit. In this case, the first housingunit has the arc-shaped side surface. Accordingly, the protrudingportion is gradually spread out along a shape of the arc-shaped sidesurface. That is, the protruding portion is not caught on the firsthousing unit. Moreover, if a portion where the width of the firsthousing unit is maximized along with the insertion passes across theprotruding portion of the accommodating chamber, the protruding portionreturns to an original shape by an elastic force, and the first housingunit presses the arc-shaped side surface. In this manner, a pressingforce in the insertion direction is applied to the power supply unit. Inthis manner, the narrow portion of the power supply unit can be moresmoothly moved to a fitting position (protruding portion) of theaccommodating chamber of the temple.

If the power supply unit is inserted into a fitting position, theprotruding portion of the accommodating chamber returns to an originalshape thereof by an elastic force, and is fitted to the narrow portionof the housing of the power supply unit. In this manner, the powersupply unit is firmly fixed to the accommodating chamber of the temple.If the narrow portion is fitted once to the protruding portion of theaccommodating chamber, the power supply unit is not moved in a directionopposite to the insertion direction unless a force of elasticallydeforming and pushing out the protruding portion of the accommodatingchamber is applied, since the arc-shaped side surface of the firsthousing unit is wider than the narrow portion. Therefore, the powersupply unit attached to the accommodating chamber of the temple is noteasily unfastened. That is, the power supply unit can be prevented fromfalling out when the electronic eyeglasses are used.

In addition, when the power supply unit is detached from theaccommodating chamber of the temple for the purpose of charging, thepower supply unit is moved in a detaching direction (direction oppositeto the insertion direction), thereby elastically deforming and pushingout the protruding portion of the accommodating chamber along the sidesurface of the first housing unit. In this case, the first housing unithas the arc-shaped side surface. Accordingly, the protruding portion isgradually spread out along the shape of the arc-shaped side surface.That is, the protruding portion is not caught on the first housing unit.Therefore, it is possible to smoothly perform an operation for detachingthe power supply unit from the temple.

In the present invention, the electronic eyeglasses broadly includeeyeglasses which perform some electrical operations and controls for theeyeglasses by receiving power supply. For example, the electroniceyeglasses include eyeglasses which use an electroactive lens as a lensof the eyeglasses so as to change a refractive index of the lens byapplying and removing the power, and eyeglasses which are internallyequipped with a camera, a sensor, or a communication function and whichcontrol the driving of these by receiving the power supply.

In addition, an eyewear according to the present invention is an eyewearwhere a power supply unit is detachably attached to an accommodatingunit of a distal end portion of a temple. The accommodating unitincludes a protruding portion which is elastically deformed so as to befitted to the power supply unit. The power supply unit includes anelectrical connection terminal, and a housing unit which accommodates abattery. The housing unit is provided with a narrow portion to which theprotruding portion is fitted when the power supply unit is attached tothe accommodating unit.

In the eyewear according to the present invention, when the power supplyunit is attached to the accommodating unit, the side surface of thehousing unit can be covered by the protruding portion. In addition, whenthe power supply unit is attached to the accommodating unit, the rearsurface and the upper surface adjacent to the rear surface of thehousing unit of the power supply unit can be exposed in the direction inwhich the power supply unit is inserted into the accommodating unit, andcan form a portion of the surface of the temple. In this case, the uppersurface of the housing unit exposed can form a portion of the innersurface of the temple.

In the eyewear according to the present invention, the upper surface ofthe housing unit may be provided with a recessed portion or a projectionportion extending in a width direction.

According to the above-described configuration, the upper surface of thehousing unit is provided with the recessed portion or the projectionportion extending in the width direction. Accordingly, a user puts hisor her finger on the recessed portion or the projection portion so thatthe power supply unit can be pulled out from the accommodating chamber.

In the eyewear according to the present invention, it is possible toadopt the first housing unit that holds the first battery, and that hasthe side surface having an arc shape in a plan view, and the secondhousing unit holds the second battery. In this case, the narrow portioncan have the side surface which is connected to the side surface of thefirst housing unit and which is narrower than the side surface. Then,the thickness of the power supply unit can gradually increase from thefirst housing unit toward the second housing unit.

According to the above-described configuration, the upper surface of thepower supply unit is inclined so that the thickness increases from thefirst housing unit toward the second housing unit. Therefore, when thepower supply unit is detached from the accommodating chamber, the userputs his or her finger on the inclined surface. In this manner, a forceis easily applied in the pulling-out direction, and the power supplyunit can be more smoothly detached.

In the eyewear according to the present invention, the width of the sidesurface of the second housing unit can be set to be larger than thewidth of the side surface of the narrow portion.

According to the above-described configuration, when the power supplyunit is attached to the accommodating chamber of the temple, theprotruding portion of the accommodating chamber is interposed betweenthe first housing unit and the second housing unit. Accordingly, thepower supply unit can be fixed in both the insertion direction and thedetaching direction. Therefore, the power supply unit is more reliablyheld in the accommodating chamber.

In the eyewear according to the present invention, the first battery canbe a button battery.

According to the above-described configuration, the first housing unithaving the arc shape in a plan view accommodates the button batteryhaving a circular shape in a plan view. Therefore, it is possible toeffectively utilize a space in the first housing unit.

In the eyewear according to the present invention, two electricalconnection terminals can be disposed at a predetermined interval so asto dispose a projection portion having a predetermined height betweenthe two electrical connection terminals. In this case, the projectionportion can extend from the front end of the power supply unit to thefront portion of the side surface of the housing unit, and theprojection portion can be brought into contact with or fixed to thefront portion.

According to the above-described configuration, the projection portionis disposed between the two electrical connection terminals.Accordingly, in a case where a liquid material (for example, user'ssweat) accidentally flows into the electrical connection terminals, itis possible to solve a problem of short-circuiting caused by the liquidmaterial conductive between the electrical connection terminals. Inaddition, the projection portion extends from the front end of the powersupply unit to the front portion of the side surface of the housingunit, and the projection portion is brought into contact with or fixedto the front portion. In this manner, it is possible to prevent a gapfrom being formed between the housing unit and the projection portion,and it is possible to inhibit the liquid material from flowing betweenthe electrical connection terminals.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide theelectronic eyeglasses including the power supply unit which is easilyattachable and detachable and which is less likely to be unfastened whenin use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of electronic eyeglasses according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the electronic eyeglasses according to theembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the electronic eyeglasses according to theembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the electronic eyeglasses according to theembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the electronic eyeglasses according to theembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the electronic eyeglasses according tothe embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a left side view of the electronic eyeglasses according to theembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a state where a power supply unit of theelectronic eyeglasses according to the embodiment of the presentinvention is detached from a temple.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a state where the power supply unit of theelectronic eyeglasses according to the embodiment of the presentinvention is attached to the temple.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the electronic eyeglassesaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view for describing an internalconfiguration of the electronic eyeglasses according to the embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the power supply unit of the electroniceyeglasses according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the power supply unit of the electroniceyeglasses according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a right side view of the power supply unit of the electroniceyeglasses according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a left side view of the power supply unit of the electroniceyeglasses according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a front view of the power supply unit of the electroniceyeglasses according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a rear view of the power supply unit of the electroniceyeglasses according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the power supply unit of the electroniceyeglasses according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a view for describing a method of attaching the power supplyunit to the temple of the electronic eyeglasses according to theembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view illustrating a state where the power supplyunit is attached to the temple of the electronic eyeglasses according tothe embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a view illustrating a charging device (a state before thepower supply unit is attached) of the power supply unit of theelectronic eyeglasses according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 22 is a view illustrating the charging device (a state after thepower supply unit is attached) of the power supply unit of theelectronic eyeglasses according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 23 is a view illustrating a power supply unit according to anotherembodiment of the present invention: (A) is a perspective view of thepower supply unit; (B) is a side view of the power supply unit; and (C)is a front view of the power supply unit.

FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of the electronic eyeglassesaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a rear view of the electronic eyeglasses according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a plan view of the electronic eyeglasses according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a bottom view of the electronic eyeglasses according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, electronic eyeglasses 1 according to preferred embodimentsof the present invention will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings. In order to facilitate the understanding of thedescription, the same reference numerals will be given to the sameconfiguration elements in each drawing as many as possible, and repeateddescription will be omitted.

(Overall Configuration of Electronic Eyeglasses)

First, an overall configuration of the electronic eyeglasses 1 accordingto an embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to FIGS. 1 to 11.

FIGS. 1 to 7 illustrate the electronic eyeglasses 1 according to thepresent embodiment. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view, FIG. 2 is afront view, FIG. 3 is a rear view, FIG. 4 is a plan view, FIG. 5 is abottom view, FIG. 6 is a right side view, and FIG. 7 is a left sideview. FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a state where a power supply unit 18of the electronic eyeglasses 1 according to the present embodiment isdetached from a temple 16, and FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a statewhere the power supply unit 18 of the electronic eyeglasses 1 accordingto the present embodiment is attached to the temple 16. FIG. 10 is arear perspective view of the electronic eyeglasses 1 according to thepresent embodiment, and FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view fordescribing an internal configuration of the electronic eyeglasses 1according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the electronic eyeglasses 1 include: a frame12 which supports right and left lenses 10; temples 16 (a right temple16R and a left temple 16L) connected to the frames 12 via a hinge 14;and power supply units 18 (a right power supply unit 18R and s leftpower supply unit 18L) attached to the temples 16.

The lens 10 is an electroactive lens which adjusts a refractive index ofan electroactive material (for example, a liquid crystal material) byapplying and removing power. In the present embodiment, as theelectroactive lens, a presbyopic lens is used which switches focuses bydisposing a crystal liquid lens and an electrode in a progressivemulti-focus lens and turning on and off the crystal liquid lens byapplying and removing the power. That is, the electronic eyeglasses 1function as the eyeglasses for presbyopia.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the frame 12 and the right temple 16Rinternally accommodate an electronic element 20. The electronic element20 includes a control module 200, conductive flexible cables 202 and204, and a power supply terminal 206. As illustrated in FIG. 11, theelectronic element is not disposed inside the left temple 16L.

The control module 200 includes a capacitance touch sensor (notillustrated), and is disposed so that the capacitance touch sensor facesa contact portion 160 disposed in a portion on an outer surface of theright temple 16R. The control module 200 causes the capacitance touchsensor to detect a user's finger touching the contact portion 160 of thetemple, and controls power supply to the lens 10.

The flexible cable 202 extends from the control module 200 through aninterior of the hinge 14 and a hinge cover 14A into the frame 12, and iselectrically connected to the electrode disposed in the lens 10, therebytransmitting an electric signal from the control module to the lens 10.

The flexible cable 204 extends from the control module 200 toward adistal end portion of the temple, and the power supply terminal 206 isconnected to an end portion of the flexible cable 204. The power supplyterminal 206 is electrically connectable to the power supply unit 18(not illustrated in FIG. 11), and transmits the power from the powersupply unit 18 to the control module 200.

The temple 16 includes an accommodating chamber (accommodating unit) 162(a right accommodating chamber 162R and a left accommodating chamber162L) internally having an accommodating space in a distal end. Theaccommodating chamber 162 includes a fitting portion 1620 having afitting surface which conforms to a shape of a side surface of the powersupply unit 18 (the right power supply unit 18R and the left powersupply unit 18L). The accommodating chamber 162 is formed of an elasticmaterial (for example, plastic), and as the power supply unit 18 isinserted, the fitting portion 1620 is elastically deformed so as to besnap-fitted to the power supply unit 18. In this manner, the powersupply unit 18 is firmly attached to the temple 16.

If the right power supply unit 18R is attached to the rightaccommodating chamber 162R, the right power supply unit 18R iselectrically connected to the control module 200 via the power supplyterminal 206 and the flexible cable 204 so as to supply the power. Thatis, the right power supply unit 18R functions as a power source for theelectronic eyeglasses 1.

On the other hand, the electronic element is not disposed inside theleft temple 16L, and the left power supply unit 18L is electricallyinsulated even after being attached to the left accommodating chamber162L. In the present embodiment, the left power supply unit 18L is thesame as the right power supply unit 18R. For example, when the rightpower supply unit 18R is charged, the left power supply unit 18L isattached to the right temple 16R, instead of the right power supply unit18R, and is used as the power source. That is, the left power supplyunit 18L functions as a backup power source for the electroniceyeglasses 1.

(Configuration of Power Supply Unit)

Next, a detailed configuration of the power supply unit 18 (the rightpower supply unit 18R and the left power supply unit 18L) will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 12 to 18. As described above, theright power supply unit 18R and the left power supply unit 18L are thesame as each other in the present embodiment. Accordingly, hereinafter,both of these will be collectively described as the power supply unit18.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 15, the power supply unit 18 includes,from a front end to a rear end, an electrical connection terminal 180 afirst housing unit 182; a narrow portion 184; and a second housing unit186. The first housing unit 182, the narrow portion 184, and the secondhousing unit 186 configure a housing unit 181 which internallyaccommodates two rechargeable button batteries 188A and 188B (indicatedby dotted lines in FIG. 13). For example, the rechargeable buttonbatteries 188A and 188B may be detachable from the housing unit 181 ofthe power supply unit 18 so as to be replaceable as a single unit. Forexample, alternatively, the rechargeable button batteries 188A and 188Bmay not be detachable from the housing unit 181 so that the whole powersupply unit 18 is changed during battery exchange.

The electrical connection terminal 180 is formed of a conductivematerial. The first housing unit 182, the narrow portion 184, and thesecond housing unit 186 are integrally formed of plastic, for example.In the following description, a direction from the rear end toward thefront end of the power supply unit 18 (direction from the second housingunit 186 toward the electrical connection terminal 180) is referred toas a forward direction, and a direction opposite thereto is referred toas a rearward direction.

The electrical connection terminal 180 is electrically connected to thebutton batteries 188A and 188B accommodated inside the power supply unit18, and extends forward from the first housing unit 182. The electricalconnection terminal 180 is configured to be electrically connected tothe power supply terminal 206 when the power supply unit 18 is attachedto the right temple 16R.

The first housing unit 182 internally holds the button battery 188A. Thefirst housing unit 182 has a side surface 1820 having an arc shape (morespecifically, a fan-like arc shape having a central angle of 180 degreesor larger) in a plan view. The side surface 1820 is formed to conform toa shape of a side surface of the circular button battery 188A, andimproves space utilization efficiency inside the first housing unit 182.An upper surface of the first housing unit is provided with threearc-shaped projection portions 1822 extending in a width direction.

As is apparent from FIG. 12, these three arc-shaped projection portions1822 are disposed to be closed to a front end side on the upper surfaceof the housing unit 181 of the power supply unit 18 (that is, a side onwhich the electrical connection terminal 180 is located on the uppersurface of the housing unit 181 of the power supply unit 18) in theinsertion direction when the power supply unit 18 is inserted into theaccommodating chamber 162 of the temple 16. In addition, among the threearc-shaped projection portions 1822, the projection portion 1822 locatedrearward becomes longer in the width direction. In this manner, theprojection portions 1822 can be brought into contact with a relativelylarge region of a user's finger. Therefore, the power supply unit 18 canbe easily pulled out from the accommodating chamber 162.

The narrow portion 184 connects the first housing unit 182 and thesecond housing unit 186 to each other, and has a narrow side surface1840 which is smoothly continuous with the side surface 1820 of thefirst housing unit 182. The side surface 1840 has a narrower width(length in a Y-axis direction in FIGS. 12 and 13) than that of the sidesurface of the first housing unit 182 and the second housing unit 186.

The second housing unit 186 internally holds the button battery 188B.The second housing unit 186 has a side surface 1860 which is smoothlycontinuous with side surface 1840 of the narrow portion 184. The sidesurface 1860 is wider than the side surface 1840, and is graduallywidened rearward. In addition, the rear end of the second housing unitis provided with an engaging projection 1864 which projects on bothsides in the width direction.

As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the thickness (length in a Z-axisdirection) of the power supply unit 18 gradually increases from thefirst housing unit 182 toward the second housing unit 186 (a thicknessD2 is thicker than a thickness D1), and an upper surface 18U of thepower supply unit 18 configures a gently inclined surface. On the otherhand, a lower surface 18D of the power supply unit 18 configures asmooth flat surface.

A color of a flat member 18Z (member including the lower surface 18D) towhich the electrical connection terminal 180 of the power supply unit 18is joined can be set to be different from a color of a main body (temple16) of the electronic eyeglasses 1 or other plastic members (membersconfiguring the housing unit 181) of the power supply unit 18. Forexample, the flat member 18Z to which the electrical connection terminal180 of the power supply unit 18 is joined is colored in a specific color(for example, a chromatic color such as red, orange, yellow, green,blue, and violet colors), and the other members can be colored in acolor different from the color of the flat member 18Z (for example, anachromatic color such as black, white, and gray colors). That is, theflat member 18Z and the other members excluding the flat member 18Z ofthe power supply unit 18 can be colored in mutually different colors. Inaddition, the flat member 18Z and the other members excluding the flatmember 18Z in the main body of the electronic eyeglasses 1 can becolored in mutually different colors.

As illustrated in FIG. 18 when the power supply unit 18 is viewed fromthe bottom surface, a portion of the flat member 18Z is exposed on theentire bottom surface of the power supply unit 18. Accordingly, even ifthe other members of the power supply unit 18 such as the housing unit181 are colored in the achromatic color, the flat member 18Z is coloredin the specific color such as the chromatic color, so that the powersupply unit 18 can be conspicuous as a whole. In addition, asillustrated in FIG. 17 when the power supply unit 18 is viewed from therear surface, a portion of the flat member 18Z is exposed on the rearsurface of the power supply unit 18. Accordingly, even in a state wherethe power supply unit 18 is attached to the temple 16, the color of theflat member 18Z is in a visible state from the rear of the rear surfaceof the temple 16. Therefore, in a case of providing a plurality of typesof the power supply unit 18, the flat members 18Z are colored inmutually different colors depending on the type of the power supplyunits 18, so that the type of the power supply units 18 can be easilyidentified. For example, it is possible to set the color of the flatmember 18Z depending on the capacity and charging characteristics of thesecondary battery of the power supply unit 18. In addition, in a casewhere a plurality of types of the main bodies of the electroniceyeglasses 1 is present and a plurality of types of the power supplyunit 18 corresponding thereto is present, it is possible to set thecolor of the flat member 18Z by using an identifier for identifying whattype of the main body the power supply unit 18 can be attached to. Forexample, the respectively corresponding power supply units 18 may beprovided depending on uses and functions of the main body of theelectronic eyeglasses 1, such as multiple uses for sports, reading, anddriving, or multiple functions including a sunglasses function and afocus control function, and the flat member 18Z of the power supply unit18 may be colored in a different color for each corresponding use orfunction.

(Method of Attaching and Detaching Power Supply Unit)

Next, a method of attaching and detaching the power supply unit 18 toand from the temple 16 will be described with reference to FIG. 19. Theupper surface of the accommodating chamber 162 of the temple 16 isprovided with the fitting portion 1620 conforming to the shape of theside surface of the power supply unit 18. The fitting portion 1620 has afirst fitting portion 1620A, a protruding portion 1620B, and a secondfitting portion 1620C which respectively conform to the shape of theside surfaces 1820, 1840, and 1860 of the power supply unit 18.

As described above, the accommodating chamber 162 is formed of anelastic material (for example, plastic). As the power supply unit 18 isinserted, the fitting portion 1620 is elastically deformed so as to besnap-fitted to the power supply unit 18.

More specifically, along with the insertion of the power supply unit 18into the accommodating chamber 162, the protruding portion 1620B of theaccommodating chamber 162 is spread out along the side surface 1820 ofthe first housing unit 182, and is elastically deformed. In this case,the protruding portion 1620B is gradually spread out along the smootharc-shaped side surface 1820. Accordingly, the protruding portion 1620Bis not caught on the first housing unit 182.

If portions P (two points defining the diameter of the first housingunit 182) where the width of the first housing unit 182 is maximizedalong with the insertion pass across the protruding portion 1620B of theaccommodating chamber 162, the protruding portion 1620B tries to returnto the original shape by an elastic force, and presses the side surface1820 of the first housing unit 182. In this manner, a force for pushingthe power supply unit 18 in the insertion direction (arrow A in FIG. 19)works.

If the power supply unit 18 is continuously inserted, the protrudingportion 1620B of the accommodating chamber 162 returns to the originalshape by the elastic force, and is fitted to the side surface 1840 ofthe narrow portion 184. In this case, the protruding portion 1620B ofthe accommodating chamber 162 is interposed between the side surface1820 of the first housing unit 182 and the side surface 1860 of thesecond housing unit 186. Therefore, the power supply unit 18 is notmoved, unless a force of elastically deforming and pushing out theprotruding portion 1620B of the fitting portion 1620 is applied. In thismanner, the power supply unit 18 attached to the accommodating chamber162 of the temple 16 is not easily unfastened, and the power supply unit18 can be prevented from falling out when the electronic eyeglasses 1are used.

In a state where the power supply unit 18 is attached to theaccommodating chamber 162 as illustrated in FIG. 20, the side surfaces1820, 1840, and 1860 of the housing unit 181 of the power supply unit 18are covered by the fitting portion 1620 (the first fitting portion1620A, the protruding portion 1620B, and the second fitting portion1620C) of the accommodating chamber 162, and the rear surface in thedirection in which the power supply unit 18 is inserted into theaccommodating chamber 162 and the upper surface adjacent to the rearsurface of the housing unit 181 of the power supply unit 18 are exposed,thereby forming a portion of the surface of the temple 16. In this way,in a state where the power supply unit 18 is attached to theaccommodating chamber 162, the rear surface and the upper surface of thehousing unit 181 of the power supply unit 18 form a portion of thesurface of the temple 16. In this case, the upper surface of the housingunit 181 forms a portion of the inner surface (surface located on auser's side in a state where the user wears the electronic eyeglasses 1)of the temple 16.

When the power supply unit 18 is detached from the accommodating chamber162 of the temple 16 for charging, a finger is put on the projectionportion 1822 of the upper surface of the first housing unit 182, and thepower supply unit 18 is pulled out in a direction opposite to theinsertion direction. Here, the upper surface 18U of the power supplyunit 18 is inclined so that the thickness increases from the firsthousing unit 182 toward the second housing unit 186. Therefore, thefinger is put on the first housing unit, thereby allowing a force actingin the pulling-out direction to be more easily applied.

If the power supply unit 18 is moved in the direction opposite to theinsertion direction, the protruding portion 1620B of the fitting portion1620 is elastically deformed along the side surface 1820 of the firsthousing unit 182, and is spread out. In this case, the protrudingportion 1620B is gradually spread out along the smooth arc-shaped sidesurface 1820. Accordingly, the protruding portion 1620B is not caught onthe first housing unit 182. Therefore, the operation for detaching thepower supply unit 18 can be smoothly performed.

(Method of Charging Power Supply Unit)

Next, with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22, a method of charging the powersupply unit 18 will be described. The power supply unit 18 can becharged by being attached to a USB-type charger 3 as illustrated inFIGS. 21 and 22, for example. FIG. 21 illustrates a state of the charger3 before the power supply unit 18 is attached, and FIG. 22 illustrates astate of the charger 3 after the power supply unit 18 is attached.

The charger 3 includes an accommodating chamber 30 formed of an elasticmaterial (for example, plastic), and the accommodating chamber 30 isprovided with a fitting portion 30A which conforms to the shape of theside surfaces of the first housing unit 182, the narrow portion 184, andthe second housing unit 186 of the power supply unit 18 (that is, whichhas the same shape as that of the fitting portion 1620 disposed in theaccommodating chamber 162 of the temple 16). In this manner, the powersupply unit 18 can be smoothly inserted into and detached from thecharger 3 in the same manner as when the power supply unit 18 isinserted into and detached from the temple 16. In addition, if the powersupply unit 18 is once attached, the power supply unit 18 is not easilydetached from the charger 3.

Modification Example

Hitherto, the embodiments according to the present invention have beendescribed. However, the present invention is not limited to theembodiments, and can be embodied in various aspects within the scope notdeparting from the gist thereof.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 23(A) to 23(C), a projectionportion 2000 having a predetermined height (for example, approximatelyhalf height of the power supply unit 18) can be disposed between the twoelectrical connection terminals 180. The projection portion 2000 isdisposed between the two electrical connection terminals 180 in thisway. Accordingly, in a case where a liquid material (for example, user'ssweat) accidentally flows into the electrical connection terminals 180,it is possible to solve a problem of short-circuiting caused by theliquid material conductive between the electrical connection terminals180. The projection portion 2000 extends from the front end of the powersupply unit 18 to the front portion on the side surface 1820 of thefirst housing unit 182, and is brought into contact with or fixed to thefront portion of the side surface 1820. In this manner, a gap can beprevented from being formed between the first housing unit 182 and theprojection portion 2000, and the liquid material can be prevented fromflowing between the electrical connection terminals 180.

A shape of the projection portion 2000 may be any shape as long as theprojection portion 2000 can block a portion between the two electricalconnection terminals 180 as described above. For example, as illustratedin FIGS. 23(A) to 23(C), the projection portion 2000 having asubstantially rectangular parallelepiped shape (rectangular shape incross section) can be adopted. In this case, a front surface 2001 of theprojection portion 2000 and two side surfaces 2002 in the widthdirection are substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of thepower supply unit 18, and an upper surface 2003 of the projectionportion 2000 is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of thepower supply unit 18. In addition, the projection portion having asemicircular shape in cross section or a polygonal shape in crosssection (triangular shape, pentagonal shape, or hexagonal shape) canalso be adopted.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which theelectroactive lens is used as the lens 10 has been described. However,the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as the lens10, various lenses such as an electrochromic lens for changing colortransmission, an electrothermochromic lens for changing colors by usingtemperature, an anti-fogging lens for reducing cloudiness by heating thelens, an antistatic lens for eliminating dust by using electric charge,and a lens including a built-in electric display can be used.Furthermore, as the electronic eyeglasses 1, eyeglasses may be adoptedwhich are internally equipped with a camera, a sensor, or acommunication function so as to control the driving of these afterreceiving power supply.

In addition, for example, in the above-described embodiment, an aspecthas been described in which the same one as the right power supply unit18R is used as the left power supply unit 18L and the left power supplyunit 18L is used as a backup power source. However, the presentinvention is not limited thereto. For example, while the left powersupply unit 18L may be set to have the shape the same as the shape ofthe housing of the right power supply unit 18R and the rechargeablebutton batteries 188A and 188B may be detachable from the housing, theleft power supply unit 18L may function as only the accommodatingchamber for a backup battery without including the electrical connectionterminal 180.

In addition, for example, the electronic element which can beelectrically connected to the left power supply unit 18L may be disposedinside the left temple 16L, and the power may be supplied from the rightpower supply unit 18R and the left power supply unit 18L to theelectronic eyeglasses 1.

In addition, for example, in the above-described embodiment, therechargeable button batteries 188A and 188B are used as the batteryaccommodated in the power supply unit 18. However, without being limitedthereto, a primary battery may be used, or the battery may not have acircular shape.

In addition, for example, in the above-described embodiment, an exampleusing the USB as the charger has been described. However, without beinglimited thereto, a charger having a power port directly connected to anoutlet plug may be used.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example of adopting astructure, in which the right power supply unit 18R is attachable to theright temple 16R of the electronic eyeglasses 1 and the left powersupply unit 18L is attachable to the left temple 16L of the electroniceyeglasses 1, has been described. However, a structure may be adopted inwhich the power supply unit is attachable to only one temple. FIGS. 24to 27 illustrate electronic eyeglasses 1A according to anotherembodiment. FIG. 24 is a front perspective view, FIG. 25 is a rear view,FIG. 26 is a plan view, and FIG. 27 is a bottom view (a front view and aleft side view are omitted since the views are the same as those inFIGS. 2, 6, and 7). As illustrated in FIGS. 24 to 27, a rightaccommodating chamber 162R to which the power supply unit 18R isattachable can be disposed in only the right temple 16R so that theaccommodating chamber is not disposed in the left temple 16L.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the electroniceyeglasses 1 have been described as the eyewear. However, the eyewear towhich the present invention is applied is not limited thereto, and maybe applied to any eyewear worn by the vicinity of a user's head, ear, oreye. Examples of the eyewear include so-called eyeglasses (including theelectronic eyeglasses) having an assisting mechanism for improving thevision of the user, such as the lens, and various devices having amechanism for presenting information to the user's visual field or eye(for example, an eyeglass-type wearable terminal or a head mountdisplay).

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   1: electronic eyeglasses (eyewear),    -   10: lens,    -   12: frame,    -   14: hinge,    -   14A: hinge cover,    -   16: temple,    -   16L: left temple,    -   16R: right temple,    -   160: contact portion,    -   162: accommodating chamber (accommodating unit),    -   162R: right accommodating chamber,    -   162L: left accommodating chamber,    -   1620: fitting portion,    -   1620A: first fitting portion,    -   1620B: protruding portion,    -   1620C: second fitting portion,    -   18: power supply unit,    -   18U: power supply unit upper surface,    -   18D: power supply unit lower surface,    -   18L: left power supply unit.    -   18R: right power supply unit,    -   18Z: flat member,    -   180: electrical connection terminal,    -   181: housing unit,    -   182: first housing unit,    -   1820: side surface,    -   1822: projection portion,    -   184: narrow portion,    -   1840: side surface,    -   186: second housing unit,    -   1860: side surface,    -   1864: engaging projection,    -   188A: button battery,    -   188B: button battery,    -   20: electronic element,    -   200: control module,    -   202: flexible cable,    -   204: flexible cable,    -   206: power supply terminal,    -   2000: projection portion,    -   3: charger,    -   30: accommodating chamber,    -   30A: fitting portion

1. An eyewear comprising: an input unit that receives an input from auser; a control module that is accommodated in a temple so as to performelectric control in response to the input from the input unit; anaccommodating unit that is located in a rear end portion of the temple,and that is open on an inner surface and a rear surface continuous withthe inner surface of the temple so as to detachably accommodate a powersupply unit; a power supply unit that has a first electrical connectionterminal and a housing unit for accommodating a battery; and a secondelectrical connection terminal that is accommodated in the temple, andthat is electrically connected to the first electrical connectionterminal of the power supply unit accommodated in the accommodating unitso as to supply power from the power supply unit to the control module,wherein the accommodating unit has a protruding portion which iselastically deformed so as to be fitted to the power supply unit,wherein the housing unit is provided with a narrow portion to which theprotruding portion is fitted when the power supply unit is mounted onthe accommodating unit; and wherein, in a state where the power supplyunit is mounted on the accommodating unit, a side surface of the housingunit is covered by the protruding portion, a rear surface and an uppersurface adjacent to the rear surface of the housing unit of the powersupply unit in a direction in which the power supply unit is insertedinto the accommodating unit are respectively exposed from the rearsurface and the inner surface of the temple so as to form a portion of asurface of the temple, and the power supply unit is not exposed on anouter surface of the temple which is located on a side opposite to theinner surface of the temple.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The eyewear according toclaim 1, wherein a lower surface of the power supply unit is formed of aflat member which has a smooth flat surface.
 4. The eyewear according toclaim 3, wherein a recessed portion or a projection portion extending ina width direction is disposed on the upper surface of the housing unit.5. The eyewear according to claim 1, wherein the housing unit has afirst housing unit that holds a first battery, and that has a sidesurface having an arc shape in a plan view, and a second housing unitthat holds a second battery, and wherein the narrow portion has a sidesurface that is connected to the side surface of the first housing unit,and that is narrower than the side surface.
 6. The eyewear according toclaim 5, wherein a thickness of the power supply unit graduallyincreases from the first housing unit toward the second housing unit. 7.The eyewear according to claim 5, wherein a width of the side surface ofthe second housing unit is wider than a width of the side surface of thenarrow portion.
 8. The eyewear according to claim 5, wherein the firstbattery is a button battery.
 9. The eyewear according to claim 1,wherein two of the electrical connection terminals are disposed at apredetermined interval, and wherein a projection portion having apredetermined height is disposed between the two electrical connectionterminals.
 10. The eyewear according to claim 9, wherein the projectionportion extends from a front end of the power supply unit to a frontportion of the side surface of the housing unit, and is brought intocontact with or fixed to the front portion.
 11. Electronic eyeglassescomprising: a control module that is accommodated in a temple; anaccommodating unit that is located in a rear end portion of the temple,and that is open on an inner surface and a rear surface continuous withthe inner surface of the temple so as to detachably accommodate a powersupply unit; a power supply unit that has a first electrical connectionterminal and a housing unit for accommodating a battery; and a secondelectrical connection terminal that is accommodated in the temple, andthat is electrically connected to the first electrical connectionterminal of the power supply unit accommodated in the accommodating unitso as to supply power from the power supply unit to the control module,wherein, from a front end toward a rear end, the power supply unitincludes: a first electrical connection terminal; a first housing unitthat holds a first battery, and that has a planarly arc-shaped sidesurface having; a narrow portion that has a side surface connected tothe arc-shaped side surface and narrower than the arc-shaped sidesurface; and a second housing unit that has a side surface connected tothe narrower side surface, and that has a second battery, and whereinthe accommodating unit has a protruding portion that is elasticallydeformed so as to be fitted to the narrow portion of the power supplyunit, and wherein, in a state where the power supply unit is mounted onthe accommodating unit, the planarly arc-shaped side surface of thefirst housing unit, the narrower side surface of the narrow portion, andthe side surface of the second housing unit are covered by theprotruding portion, a rear surface and an upper surface adjacent to therear surface of the housing unit of the power supply unit in a directionin which the power supply unit is inserted into the accommodating unitare respectively exposed from the rear surface and the inner surface ofthe temple so as to form a portion of a surface of the temple, and thepower supply unit is not exposed on an outer surface of the temple whichis located on a side opposite to the inner surface of the temple. 12.The electronic eyeglasses according to claim 11, wherein a thickness ofthe power supply unit gradually increases from the first housing unittoward the second housing unit.
 13. The electronic eyeglasses accordingto claim 12, wherein an upper surface of the first housing unit has arecessed portion or a projection portion extending in a width direction.14. The electronic eyeglasses according to claim 11, wherein a width ofa side surface of the second housing unit is wider than a width of aside surface of a side surface of the narrow portion.
 15. The electroniceyeglasses according to claim 11, wherein the first battery is a buttonbattery.
 16. The eyewear according to claim 3, wherein, in a state wherethe power supply unit is mounted on the accommodating unit, the flatmember is exposed from the rear surface of the temple, and the exposedflat member is colored so as to have a color which is different from atleast a color of the temple.